Densification curves of silicon nitride specimens with varying composition were
determined with the aid of a dilatometer and these curves are presented in this paper. A novel
procedure has been used to determine the densification curves as well as the temperature at which
the rate of densification was highest. From these data, sintering profiles have been proposed to
produce silicon nitride based ceramics with high apparent density (above 96% of theoretical
density) at temperatures as low as 1520º C, with incipient grain growth. This procedure also enabled
efficient separation of the densification and grain growth phenomena and it can be used in other
two-step sintering studies.